Survival

Survival - is the ability of a seafarer to stay alive when life is threatened in a shipping casualty. It is an action, ability or effort exerted by a person or group of persons in order to continue to live in the mids of disastrous situation. It is a struggle for existence.

Essentials for survival at sea: * Have a strong will to survive. * Have survival knowledge and techniques: (a) Proper use of life-saving appliances and equipment (b) Actions to be taken when abandoning a ship (c) Survival knowledge and techniques required when drifting (d) Cautions required by a person being pick-up * Have excellent life-saving appliances which is always maintained in good condition.

Ship must have a SOLAS Training Manual which explained in details the following:

1. Appropriate donning of lifejackets and immersion suits. 2. Muster at the assign station. 3. Boarding, Lainching and Clearing the survival craft and rescue boats. 4. Method of Launching from with in the survival craft. 5. Released from launching areas. 6. Method and use of devices for protection and launching areas where appropriate. 7. Illumination in launching areas. 8. Use of all survival equipment. 9. Use of all detection equipment. 10. Use of radio life-saving appliances. 11. Use of drogues 12. Use of engines and accessories. 13. Recovery of survival craft and rescue boats including stowage and securing. 14. Hazard of exposure and the need of warm clothing. 15. Best use of survival craft. 16. Method of retrieval, including use of helicopter rescue gear (sling, basket, stretchers), breeches buoyant shore life saving apparatus and ship's line throwing apparatus. 17. All other functions contained in the muster list and emergency instructions. 18. Instruction for emergency repair of the life-saving appliances.

Instruction for on-board maintenance of life-saving appliances shall include the following: 1. A check list for use when carrying out the inspection require by this regulations. 2. Maintenance and repair instruction. 3. Schedule of periodic maintenance. 4. Diagram of lubrication points with the recommended lubricants. 5. List of replaceable parts. 6. List of source of spare parts. 7. Log of records of inspection and maintenance.

EMERGENCIES

Things to remember: 1. Know your duties in an emergency. 2. Be prepared - an emergency can arise anytime. 3. Knowledge and Training gives you the best chances to cope with an emergency.

Muster list tells you the following: * WHO YOU ARE - Identifies all crews by name, number, rank, or a combination of both number and rank. * WHERE YOU GO - Identifies the muster stations (assembly stations) which are the designated places on the ship that personnel should go upon hearing the general emergency alarm signal. * WHAT TO DO - Either specific duties are assigned, such as preparations of boats, stairway guides etc., or crew will carry out duties as required - dependent on the nature of emergency.